Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 12:

A four-day programme titled School on Astronomy and Astrophysics organised by BP Koirala Memorial Planetarium Observatory and Science Museum Development Board began here today. The programme being held at Hotel Mountain will focus on astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology to give up-to-date knowledge to 80 science students of the higher secondary level and 20 science teachers.

Inaugurating the programme, Minister for Science and Technology Bala Ram Ghartimagar, said: “Such programmes for the younger generation should be continued in the future, too.”

He said Nepalis should become capable of exporting small and original ideas and products with new and innovative technologies rather than going for bigger projects.

Dr Swayambhu Man Amatya, Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the objective of the programme was to give elementary information to the beginners to arouse interest for further studies. He said though the Ministry had bought a telescope with 50 cm diameter and set up at Nagarkot (at height of 250 meters), the programme was confined to the Valley due to limited resources. Dr Hari Krishna Upadhaya, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, said: “These programmes will be taken to the rural areas in future.”